Keystone XL Pipeline

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The State Department receives an application from TransCanada

The State Department receives an application from TransCanada to build the 1,700-mile Keystone XL pipeline, and announces that it will conduct an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

State conducts 20 “scoping meetings”

1/1/2009 - 6/1/2009

State conducts 20 “scoping meetings” to explore the issues that should be addressed in the EIS, and consults with federal and state agencies and Indian tribes impacted by the pipeline.

State releases its draft EIS

April 16, 2010

State releases its draft EIS, which finds that the Keystone pipeline would have “limited adverse environmental impacts during both construction and operation.” This finding would be supported by subsequent environmental assessments by the department. The draft report also notes that, in the absence of the pipeline, “crude oil would likely be shipped to countries outside of North America, which would require new infrastructure that would result in environmental impacts at least as great as those of the proposed project.”

The department solicits comments on the proposed pipeline

4/16/2010 - 9/1/2010

The department solicits comments on the proposed pipeline, twice extending the comment period due to the volume of submissions it receives. After receiving nearly 1,800 verbal and written comments, State ends the comment period at the request of federal agencies.

Meetings held in Texas and Washington, D.C., in response to public comments.

06/01/2010 - 06/30/2010

International organizations endorse the pipeline

9/14/2010

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters and the International Union of Operating Engineers endorse the pipeline, marking the beginning of a rare political alliance that pits supporters of increased energy production and labor unions against environmental groups.

“we are inclined” to approve

10/15/2010

When asked about the Keystone XL pipeline at the Commonwealth Club of San Francisco, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says “we are inclined” to approve the project

Labor unions press the State Department to approve the project

10/25/2010

The general presidents of four major labor unions representing more than 2.5 million workers urge the State Department to approve the pipeline.

State hosts meetings between Indian tribes and federal officials

12/7/2010

State hosts meetings between Indian tribes and federal officials in Washington to address concerns about the pipeline.

TransCanada agrees to safety measures

1/1/2011

TransCanada, Keystone’s parent company, agrees to 57 safety measures relating to the construction, operation and design of the pipeline. The measures were a joint creation of the State Department and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.

Democratic Senators join their Republican colleagues in endorsing the pipeline.

3/6/2011

In a show of bipartisanship, Democratic Sens. Mark Begich (AK), Mary Landrieu (LA), and Max Baucus (MT), join 11 of their Republican colleagues in endorsing the pipeline. “Now more than ever, it is critical that this country move forward with this project,” they write in a letter to Clinton.

State opens another comment period

4/15/2011 - 6/6/2011

Following its supplemental draft EIS, the State opens another comment period which solicited 280,000 public comments

State releases a supplemental draft EIS

4/15/2011

State releases a supplemental draft EIS, which, it notes, “does not alter the conclusions” reached by its initial statement a year earlier.

Rep. Lee Terry (R-NE) introduces the North American-Made Energy Security Act, which would force the president to make a decision on the Keystone pipeline by Nov. 1, 2011.

The White House releases a “Statement of Administration Policy”

7/25/2011

The White House releases a “Statement of Administration Policy”

The House passes Terry’s bill by voice vote.

7/26/2011

The House passes Terry’s bill by voice vote. It never receives Senate consideration.

State releases its final EIS

8/26/2011

State releases its final EIS, which supports moving ahead with the pipeline. The department “does not regard the No Action Alternative to be preferable to the proposed Project,” it states. Among its key findings:

-Construction of the pipeline would not affect fossil fuel demand – which it noted is expected to grow substantially over the next 10 years – meaning its absence would not contribute to the president’s “green energy” agenda, which involves compelling consumers to seek alternatives to fossil fuels;

-The “No Action Alternative” would lead to increased American imports of oil from nations that “are not secure and reliable sources of crude oil, including the Middle East, Africa, Mexico, and South America”;

-If unable to import oil through the Keystone pipeline, Canadian producers would simply seek other customers using alternative methods of transportation.

State conducts its National Interest Determination

8/26/2011 - 10/9/2011

State conducts its National Interest Determination, soliciting public comments and holding meetings in six states and Washington, D.C.

Statement by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers states

10/20/2011

Continuing the labor movement’s support for the project, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers states, “the Keystone project will put thousands back to work and have ripple benefits throughout the North American economy. Our members look forward to being part of this historic project and pledge to deliver the highest quality work to make it a success.”

President Obama announces he is delaying the project

11/10/2011

President Obama announces he is delaying the project “in light of additional information gleaned from consultations with Nebraska state and local officials as well as public comments.” Citing concerns over the pipeline’s effects on the Sand Hills region, Obama questions whether the pipeline “is in the national interest.” The president makes clear that no decision will be made on Keystone before the 2012 election.

TransCanada announces that it has reached an agreement

11/14/2011

TransCanada announces that it has reached an agreement with Nebraska officials on an alternate pipeline route through the state, which avoids the Sand Hills region.

Nebraska enacts a law codifying a process for approving the route

11/22/2011

Nebraska enacts a law codifying a process for approving the route and directing the state’s Department of Environmental Quality to cooperate with State in moving it forward.